Sermon: Taking Up the Cross Daily
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:23
"Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'"
Introduction:
The call to follow Jesus is not a one-time decision; it is a daily commitment. Jesus Himself made it clear that discipleship requires taking up the cross daily. This is not a one-time event at conversion or a momentary act of surrender. It is a continuous, intentional, and sometimes painful process of dying to self and living for Christ. Today, we will explore what it means to take up the cross daily and how this shapes our walk with Christ.
1. The Cross is a Daily Decision, Not a One-Time Event
When Jesus said, "Take up your cross daily," He was emphasizing the ongoing nature of discipleship. Many of us think of the cross as a symbol of salvation—and it is—but it is also a symbol of surrender. Salvation is a one-time event, but sanctification is a lifelong process. Taking up the cross daily means choosing to die to our selfish desires, our pride, and our plans, and instead submitting to God’s will every single day.
Illustration: Imagine a soldier who takes an oath to serve their country. That oath is a one-time commitment, but the daily battles, the training, and the sacrifices are what truly define their service. Similarly, our initial decision to follow Christ is just the beginning. The daily battles of faith, the sacrifices, and the obedience are what define our discipleship.
2. Denying Ourselves is Part of the Process
Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself." Denying ourselves means saying "no" to our fleshly desires and saying "yes" to God’s will. This is not easy. It goes against our natural instincts to seek comfort, control, and convenience. But the cross is not about comfort; it’s about surrender.
Example: Think about the times when you’ve had to choose between what you wanted and what God wanted. Maybe it was forgiving someone who hurt you, giving generously when it was inconvenient, or choosing integrity over compromise. These are moments of taking up the cross.
3. The Cross is a Symbol of Sacrifice and Love
The cross was an instrument of death, but through Jesus, it became a symbol of life and love. When we take up our cross daily, we are not just enduring hardship; we are participating in the love of Christ. We are choosing to love others sacrificially, to serve selflessly, and to live for something greater than ourselves.
Scripture: Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." Taking up the cross daily means allowing Christ to live through us in every area of our lives.
4. The Reward of Taking Up the Cross
While the cross involves sacrifice, it also leads to victory. Jesus endured the cross "for the joy that was set before Him" (Hebrews 12:2). When we take up our cross daily, we are not just enduring suffering; we are walking in the joy and freedom of obedience. There is a reward in surrendering to God—peace, purpose, and the promise of eternal life.
Encouragement: Every time you deny yourself, every time you choose God’s will over your own, you are storing up treasures in heaven. The cross may be heavy, but the reward is eternal.
Conclusion:
Taking up the cross daily is not optional for the follower of Christ; it is essential. It is a call to die to self, to live for God, and to follow Jesus no matter the cost. This is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment. As we leave here today, let us ask ourselves: Are we willing to take up our cross daily? Are we willing to deny ourselves, follow Jesus, and live a life of sacrificial love? The journey may not be easy, but it is worth it. For in losing our lives for His sake, we will find true life.
Call to Action:
Let us pray and ask God for the strength to take up our cross daily. Let us commit to living a life of surrender, obedience, and love. And let us encourage one another in this journey of faith, knowing that we do not walk alone. Christ is with us every step of the way.
Sermon: Taking Up the Cross Daily – A Deeper Dive
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:23
"Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'"
Introduction:
The call to take up the cross daily is one of the most challenging yet transformative aspects of the Christian life. It is a call to radical discipleship, a call to die to self and live for Christ every single day. But what does this really mean? How do we apply this in our modern lives? Let’s delve deeper into the meaning, the process, and the implications of taking up the cross daily.
1. The Cross as a Daily Decision: A Lifelong Journey of Surrender
When Jesus spoke of taking up the cross, He was addressing a crowd that understood the cross as a symbol of suffering, shame, and death. To take up the cross was to embrace a path of sacrifice and surrender. For us, it means the same: a daily decision to follow Jesus, no matter the cost.
The Misconception of a One-Time Decision: Many believers think of the cross as something they took up when they first accepted Christ. While salvation is a one-time event, discipleship is a lifelong journey. The cross is not just the starting point; it is the path we walk every day.
The Daily Nature of the Cross: Jesus emphasized the word daily for a reason. Each day brings new challenges, temptations, and opportunities to either follow our own desires or submit to God’s will. Taking up the cross daily means renewing our commitment to Christ every morning, asking, “Lord, what do You want from me today?”
Example: Think of marriage. Saying “I do” is a one-time event, but living out those vows requires daily commitment, sacrifice, and love. Similarly, our relationship with Christ requires daily devotion.
2. Denying Ourselves: The Heart of Taking Up the Cross
Jesus said, “Let him deny himself.” This is the hardest part of taking up the cross. Denying ourselves means saying no to our selfish desires, our pride, our need for control, and our pursuit of comfort. It means putting God’s will above our own.
What Does It Mean to Deny Ourselves?
Surrendering Our Plans: It means letting go of our own ambitions and trusting God’s plan, even when it doesn’t make sense to us.
Resisting Temptation: It means saying no to sin, even when it feels good or seems harmless.
Choosing Sacrifice: It means giving up our time, resources, and energy for the sake of others and for the glory of God.
Biblical Example: In Matthew 4, Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Each temptation was an opportunity for Jesus to choose His own comfort or His own glory, but He denied Himself and chose obedience to the Father. This is our model.
Modern Application: Denying ourselves might look like choosing to forgive when we’d rather hold a grudge, giving generously when we’d rather save, or serving others when we’d rather relax. It’s in these small, daily decisions that we take up the cross.
3. The Cross as a Symbol of Sacrifice and Love
The cross was not just an instrument of death; it was also the ultimate expression of love. Jesus willingly laid down His life for us, and when we take up our cross, we are called to live a life of sacrificial love.
The Connection Between the Cross and Love:
John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
Taking up the cross means loving others sacrificially, even when it’s inconvenient or painful.
What Does Sacrificial Love Look Like?
In Relationships: It means putting others’ needs above our own, being patient, kind, and forgiving.
In Service: It means using our gifts and resources to bless others, even when it costs us something.
In Witness: It means sharing the gospel, even when it’s uncomfortable or risky.
Example: Mother Teresa is often cited as an example of someone who took up the cross daily. She denied herself comfort and convenience to serve the poorest of the poor, embodying Christ’s love in a tangible way.
4. The Cost and the Reward of Taking Up the Cross
Taking up the cross is costly, but it is also deeply rewarding. Jesus didn’t sugarcoat the cost of discipleship, but He also promised that it would be worth it.
The Cost of the Cross:
Luke 14:27: “Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
Taking up the cross may mean facing rejection, persecution, or hardship. It may mean giving up things we love or dreams we’ve held onto.
The Reward of the Cross:
Matthew 16:25: “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
When we lose our lives for Christ’s sake, we find true life—a life of purpose, joy, and eternal significance.
The reward is not just in heaven; it’s also in the here and now. There is peace in surrender, joy in obedience, and fulfillment in living for something greater than ourselves.
Illustration: Imagine holding onto a rope tied to a heavy anchor. As long as you hold onto it, you’re weighed down and unable to move forward. But when you let go, you’re free to soar. Taking up the cross is like letting go of the anchor of self so that we can soar in the freedom of Christ.
5. Practical Steps to Take Up the Cross Daily
How do we live this out in practical terms? Here are some steps to help us take up the cross daily:
Start Each Day with Surrender: Begin your day in prayer, offering yourself to God and asking Him to guide your steps.
Stay in the Word: The Bible is our guide for how to live a crucified life. Spend time in it daily.
Practice Self-Denial: Look for opportunities to say no to yourself and yes to God. This could be as simple as fasting from social media or as challenging as forgiving someone who hurt you.
Serve Others: Look for ways to love and serve those around you, even when it’s inconvenient.
Embrace Suffering: When trials come, don’t run from them. Ask God to use them to refine you and draw you closer to Him.
Stay Connected to the Body of Christ: We need the encouragement and accountability of other believers to help us stay on the path of discipleship.
Conclusion:
Taking up the cross daily is not easy, but it is the essence of true discipleship. It is a call to die to self, to live for Christ, and to love others sacrificially. It is a daily decision, a lifelong journey, and a path that leads to true life. As we leave here today, let us commit to taking up our cross daily, trusting that the One who called us will give us the strength to follow Him.
Call to Action:
Let us pray for the courage and grace to take up our cross daily. Let us encourage one another in this journey, reminding ourselves that the cross is not just a burden—it is the gateway to life, love, and eternal joy. May we live each day in surrender to Christ, knowing that in losing our lives for His sake, we will find them.
No comments:
Post a Comment